Coloradans Support Pot Law, Don't Want Politicians Lighting Up

Colorado residents say that legalizing marijuana in the Centennial State was a good idea — but they don't think their politicians should be getting high, a Quinnipiac University poll has found.

The recreational use of marijuana became legal on Jan.1, and 52 percent of voters say it was a good thing, compared to 38 percent against, according to Quinnipiac, which released poll results Monday.

But 52 percent said they are less likely to vote for a candidate for office who smokes marijuana two or three days a week, while 43 percent said it would not affect their vote, the poll found.

Only a scant 3 percent said they are more likely to vote for a candidate who lights up.

"Colorado voters are generally good to go on grass, across the spectrum, from personal freedom to its taxpayer benefits to its positive impact on the criminal justice system," Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll, said in a statement. "But if you are a politician, think twice before smokin' them if you got 'em.''

Republicans and older people in Colorado were more conservative in their views of the legalization of pot.

Some 63 percent of Republicans said it has been bad for the state, compared to 28 percent who disagree.

Voters over 65 years old also don't like the law by a margin of 62 percent to 28 percent.

Quinnipiac also found that 49 percent of voters admit they've tried marijuana — but only 15 percent say they've used it since legalization.

And by a 53 percent to 41 percent margin, voters believe legalized marijuana will save the state and taxpayers a significant amount of money, according to the poll.

Legal pot will have a positive impact on the state's criminal justice system, voters believe by a 50 percent to 40 percent margin.

And by 53 percent to 44 percent, they believe it "increases personal freedoms in a positive way."

The poll of 1,298 registered voters was conducted by Quinnipiac University from April 15 to 21 and has a margin of error of 2.7 percentage points.